"I will decide [on Saturday] if he will start," Pellegrini told reporters on Friday. "I won't tell you now if Joe will play because the players don't know yet.

"Of course, Joe knows he must improve the way he is playing.

"Costel Pantilimon is a very good goalkeeper. He has all the right to play. He's working hard and I'm absolutely sure if it's [Saturday] or in another game that if Pantilimon plays he will do very well."